Appetizer recipe collection

Gloria's black bean soup simmers dried beans low and slow, then gets stirred thick with a blended sofrito of peppers, onion, garlic, cumin, and oregano. A rich, Cuban-style puréed bean soup.

Homemade hummus from scratch using dried chickpeas, a pound of tahini, fresh lemon, and a freeze-to-soften trick for ultra-creamy texture. Middle Eastern dip that puts store-bought tubs to shame.

Instead of guacamole or a salad dish, make these hot stuffed avocado. Creamy, cheesy, warm and packed with yumminess. They are great for Super Bowl or any gather-together occasions.

Polish hunters stew (bigos) with sauerkraut, kielbasa, bacon, dried mushrooms, apples, and tomatoes. Simmered low and slow, best reheated the next day.

Bean fajitas: black beans, zucchini, bell pepper, and onion tossed with chili and cumin, rolled in warm tortillas with salsa, yogurt, and Monterey Jack. A vegetarian weeknight win.

These delicious meatballs can be used as a simple appetizer or can accompany pasta to complete a main dish.

Homemade Chex-style snack mix with shredded wheat, Cheerios, pretzels, and peanuts baked with Worcestershire, dill, and garlic salt. Keeps for 6 weeks.

Loaded sheet pan nachos with chili beans, melted cheddar, homemade guacamole, sour cream, olives, and fresh tomato. Crispy, cheesy, and ready for game day.

Pasta Rolls are four-cheese stuffed pasta roulades wrapped in cheesecloth and poached in chicken broth, then sliced into rounds and served with sauce. A dinner party showstopper.

Peanut butter dip with fruit jam, molasses, vinegar, and sesame seeds blended into a bold, sweet-tangy spread. A big-batch dip for parties, picnics, or snacking with fruit and crackers.

Penne with Provencal Eggplant & Sweet Peppers recipe

Pork chops and sauerkraut with caraway seeds and tart apple slices, seared on the stovetop and finished in the microwave. A quick weeknight take on a German classic.

Crispy baked rice cups filled with creamy guacamole and salsa, a vegetarian Mexican appetizer with edible cheddar-cumin shells. Bite-size party food made in a mini muffin tin.

Rolled calzone stuffed with pesto, ham, capicola, provolone, roasted red peppers, and pepperoncini. Homemade herb pizza dough baked golden and sliced into pinwheels.

Moroccan tagine of okra and tomatoes uses a clever string-the-okra technique to keep pods whole while poaching in spiced tomato sauce. A vegetarian Maghreb classic served hot or warm.

Crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, bean sprouts, and tofu tossed in a rich peanut-coconut milk dressing with red curry paste. A crunchy, creamy Thai salad topped with potato chips for fun.